With four hospitals closing in western Queens since 2008, having good available healthcare is crucial. In December, City MD urgent care facility opened its doors at 31-11 Steinway Street in Astoria, hoping to alleviate some of the healthcare gap.

The franchise began last year in Manhattan, and now there are 10 facilities throughout the New York City and Long Island. A facility will also be opening in Westchester soon, as well as 10 more later this year.

Marketing associate Tanyelle Broschart said in addition to the lack of hospitals in Queens, they chose Astoria because it is a diverse family-oriented community.

Broschart said they expected a large amount of patients, but the first month has exceeded expectations. Open 365 days and long hours, people are able to walk in, not wait longer than 10 minutes and be seen by a certified physician.

Since opening, the community has embraced them, she said. Broschart said unlike other urgent care facilities, City MD always follows up with its patients and assists with setting up appointments with other doctors if needed.

“We try to lessen the load that goes over to the hospital,” she said. “We really care about our patients.”

This is also one of their bigger facilities. There are 12 exam rooms with state-of-the-art technology that provide services like blood work, x-rays, and dealing with minor emergencies.

“We’ll never try to handle something here that we can’t,” Broschart said.

Dr. Leonard Pastula worked in an emergency room for a dozen years before joining City MD last year. Pastula said it is a different experience than working in the hospital, but he really enjoys it.